The Madlanga Commission resumes its hearings today as the inquiry continues examining allegations of criminal infiltration, misconduct and maladministration within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the City of Ekurhuleni.
The live stream of today’s proceedings is available below.
Wednesday’s session heard that former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi halted disciplinary action against suspended EMPD acting chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, before authorising substantial salary increases for two senior officials regarded as his loyalists.
Testifying before the commission, former Ekurhuleni HR head Xolani Nciza said Mashazi approved salary adjustments worth R600,000 for Linda Gasheka and Advocate Kemi Behari shortly after disciplinary processes involving Mkhwanazi were withdrawn.
Nciza told the commission that both officials were still on probation when the increases were implemented.
Nciza described the raises as a “token of appreciation” for officials who had “aligned themselves” with instructions from senior city leadership.
He testified that the report recommending the increases had “no basis,” with no changes in responsibilities or performance assessments to support the adjustments.
Commission co-chair Advocate Sesi Baloyi questioned the legitimacy of the increases, noting that no regulatory or contractual framework permitted such adjustments for municipal officials during probation.
Nciza said municipal remuneration is governed by limits set by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and that “there is simply no provision for arbitrary adjustments like this.”
Previous witnesses, including former EMPD chief Jabulani Mapiyeye and retired deputy chief Revo Spies, have similarly testified that internal systems were allegedly manipulated to shield Mkhwanazi from accountability.
Mkhwanazi is currently on suspension amid allegations that he operated a rogue policing unit known as SWAT, forged documents, and interfered with investigations.
His appearance before the commission is expected later this week.
The commission, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, continues to investigate broader concerns regarding governance failures, internal protection networks, and alleged criminal partnerships involving law enforcement officials in Ekurhuleni.
Watch the live stream of the Madlanga Commission below.
